The fellas over at Neowin.net
were alerted that Microsoft has unveiled the packaging for Windows Vista and
Office 2007. While there are only three images posted, the new design direction
for Microsoft packaging is quite apparent.

According to the Windows
Vista Team Blog, the compact packaging is made out of plastic and is
designed for long-term protection and storage of the software. Microsoft's Nick
White also indicates that the new packaging will be carried over to future
Microsoft software releases.

As a refresher, here's the pricing for four consumer
releases of Windows Vista:

Windows Vista Home Basic, $199/$99.95

Windows Vista Home Premium, $239/$159

Windows Vista Business, $299/$199

Windows Vista Ultimate, $399/$259

And here's pricing for Office 2007:

Microsoft Office Professional 2007 ($499/$329)

Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 ($449/$279)

Microsoft Office Standard 2007 ($399/$239)

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 ($149/NA)

Windows Vista is expected to be released to consumers in
January 2007 while Office 2007 is expected to hit store shelves sometime after.

Update 10/31/2006: Microsoft has unveiled packaging for all of the retail editions of Vista and Office 2007. You can check them out here.

"The whole principle [of censorship] is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak." -- Robert Heinlein